The New England Patriots’ draft operation will look a lot different moving forward. As Bill Belichick revealed during a media conference call on Saturday, the 2021 NFL Draft was the last one for long-time Patriots research director Ernie Adams.
Adams first arrived in New England as part of Chuck Fairbanks’ staff in 1975, and with the exception of some short-time stints in New York and Cleveland has played a major role within the organization ever since. As a recognition of those contributions, Belichick called the draft room to attention during Saturday’s final day of the draft and gave a farewell address to Adams.